‘Colazione’ which means breakfast in Italian is a simple affair, as long as there is a coffee it’s breakfast!
However, there are traditional Italian breakfasts other than just famous caffeinated beverages (all the 'ccinos for starters).
When trying to find breakfast in Italy you will rarely find something savoury. Italians say that you cannot eat anything savoury until 11 am!
In some regions, they eat a brioche and a cappuccino for breakfast and others have a cappuccino and cornetto. Although, be careful in some regions asking for a cornetto means you’ll be getting an ice-cream first thing in the morning.
Here is our guide of what breakfasts are eaten in Italy in hotels, cafes and at home.
Breakfast in hotels or cafes
What is on the Italian breakfast menu in hotels or cafes? In the pizza capital of the world, coffee is taken very seriously!
Additionally, foods such as cakes, pastries, crepes, and biscuits are popular accompaniments to a morning coffee.
1. Cappuccino
An Italian classic! A Cappuccino is made with full-fat, creamy milk and has a strong taste. It is frothy and served in a small cup.
2. Caffe latte
Not a latte as we know it. Instead, a caffe latte is made with a shot of espresso poured into a large glass with milk.
3. Caffe’ d’orzo
This is not a typical coffee, but a coffee substitute made of barley.
4. Espresso
If you would like to order an espresso in Italy, you would simply request, ‘Un Caffe’. In the afternoon people tend to prefer to have something lighter such as an espresso.
Italian breakfast pastries, crepes and cakes
5. Cornetto
This Italian-style croissant called cornetto meaning “little horn”, is based on a typical Viennese dessert: kipfel.
A cornetto is made with flour, milk, eggs, sugar, salt, butter and yeast and can be served empty or filled with cream or other fillings.
TIP: A croissant is called ‘cornetto’ in Rome and ‘brioche’ in Milan so if you were to ask for a cornetto in Milan, you’ll end up getting the ice-cream cone. Brioche (often with coffee or granita).
Here is a recipe so you can make this breakfast at home.
6. Crespelles
Crespelles are similar to the French crepe apart from being paper-thin. They can be eaten with sweet toppings or savoury fillings. The crespelle with ricotta and spinach is a typical dish in the Florentine region. You can find the recipe for these delicious treats here.
7. Saccottino or Bauletto
The names vary by region. Italian breakfast pastries filled with chocolate, custard cream or jam.
Tip: If asking for a pastry with crema in Italy it will not be topped with whipped or double cream like in the UK, but instead a type of thick pastry cream or custard. Sounds delicious!
8. Sfogliatella
If you have visited the Campania region, then you must have eaten this puff pastry called sfogliatelle. Campania is a region in the south-west of Italy known for its ancient ruins and dramatic coastline and Naples, the regional capital. Watch the video below showing how this delicious (dubbed lobster tail pastry) is made...
9. Brioche
The brioche originates from France; however, it is frequently eaten for breakfast in Italy. The Sicilian brioche is made with a topknot and is soaked or filled with granita and gelato.
The French brioche can be served empty or stuffed with creams, chocolate or jams.
What the video below showing how you can make an Italian brioche (cornetto) at home or learn how to make it from a recipe here
Breakfast at home
At home, breakfast is much more simple, however almost always sweet! Expect foods such as jam on toast, fruits and biscuits.
Toast, cakes, biscuits and fruits
10. Biscuits
This light breakfast biscuit is traditionally consumed in the mornings in Italy. It is crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for dunking in your morning coffee. Dunking pastries and biscuits is popular in this part of the world! We approve.
A popular option for both children and adults. Children would dunk the biscuits into hot milk whereas adults eat it with a cup of coffee.
Rather than dunking biscuits into tea as we do in the UK, Italians dunk these plain biscuits into the coffee. They are usually hard so that they don’t crumble and break in the mug.
Here is a recipe for traditional Italian breakfast biscuits.
11. Granita
We mentioned the Granita above. This refreshing frozen lemon drink is traditional to the Sicilian region. It is perfect for a hot day and is served with a brioche or eaten alone for breakfast. To make it at home we have the recipe for you here
12. Jam and butter on toast
Known in Italian as pane, burro e marmellata or bread butter and jam. This is a staple breakfast in Italian households.
Jam and butter on freshly baked bread served with coffee or sometimes tea. Are your mouths watering yet?
13. Fette Biscottate
This is a typical Italian breakfast eaten either in homes or found at hotels. It is similar to a rusk or packaged biscuit which is eaten as a light breakfast and is often topped with butter or jam.
14. Fruit salad
Most frequently eaten in the summer months. Fruit salad is a popular food to start the day.
15. Biscotti
Similar to a breakfast biscuit, a biscotti is an Italian almond biscuit that originates from Tuscany.
They are cut into oblong shapes like little slices of bread, twice baked and are crunchy. They are often dipped in coffee.
16. Hot chocolate
An Italian hot chocolate is thicker and creamier to the English counterpart. This mug is made from real chocolate, milk and cocoa powder. It’s a real treat!
17. Ciambella Romagnola
An Italian breakfast cake that is from the Emilia-Romagna cuisine. This cake is very rustic made with simple ingredients consisting of flour, butter, egg, milk and sugar.
This cake resembles a sweet flatbread and has a bit of a biscuit texture as it is a little crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
18. Nutella on toast
Would it even been breakfast (and Italy) if we didn't mention Nutella?
This chocolate spread is popular all around the world. Nutella was created by an Italian bakery owner called Pietro Ferrero in the 1940s when trying to find a cheaper solution to chocolate during the Second World War.
Of course, no one will judge you if you eat it by the spoonful! However, it is most commonly eaten on toast, in crepes or eaten with the fruit...on hot chocolate... in hot chocolate... on pastries...we could go on and on!
Savoury breakfasts: For late breakfast/brunch
19. Frittata di patate
As sweet foods are usually eaten for breakfast, a frittata is eaten usually as a brunch or lunch. This egg and the potato-based dish is a traditional, yet simple recipe that is perfect for the whole family. Here is a recipe for a breakfast potato frittata!
Watch below as Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo takes over Jamie Oliver's YouTube channel to make Italian frittata, in three ways!
20. Toast with cheese or cured meats
Served with regional cheese or meats such as prosciutto, which is an Italian dry-cured ham that is usually thinly sliced.
